This camera is reputedly the smallest 2mp 3x optical zoom camera on the market and it has certainly impressed everybody I have shown it to. It also has a facility to switch on digital zoom making it a 12x zoom. The clever thing is that the moving parts are inside the camera, so there are no ... Read review
Ex-Pro High power stabilized electronic mains adapter for digital cameras, Camcorder and ... more
other electronic appliances. The interchangeable DC plugs included are for center plus and polarity protection. Any setting of the output voltage selector switch is protected against unintentional change of voltage. A power on LED and 2 rubber grips for easy handling rounds off the high specification of a neat, compact and easy to carry power supply for worldwide use. Output voltage in 6 fixed steps 2.4v, 3v, 4.2v, 5v, 6v, 6.5v, 7v, 8.4V to match the voltage specifically needed for most digital cameras. 5 inter changeable centre plus and polarity protected DC plugs included. (Plug dimensions 1.7 x 4.75 / 1.7 x 4 / 1.4 x 3.5 / 0.75 x 2.4 / 5.5 x 2.1 all right angled plugs).
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Ex-Pro High power stabilized electronic mains adapter for digital cameras, Camcorder and ... more
other electronic appliances. The interchangeable DC plugs included are for center plus and polarity protection. Any setting of the output voltage selector switch is protected against unintentional change of voltage. A power on LED and 2 rubber grips for easy handling rounds off the high specification of a neat, compact and easy to carry power supply for worldwide use. Output voltage in 6 fixed steps 2.4v, 3v, 4.2v, 5v, 6v, 6.5v, 7v, 8.4V to match the voltage specifically needed for most digital cameras. 5 inter changeable centre plus and polarity protected DC plugs included. (Plug dimensions 1.7 x 4.75 / 1.7 x 4 / 1.4 x 3.5 / 0.75 x 2.4 / 5.5 x 2.1 all right angled plugs).
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Lightweight, Stills, Video with sound, Webcam, Email function and flashing lights on the front! Disadvantages: No case and only 8mb sd card included
...are.
The minolta can be switched on and is ready to photograph almost instantaneously - brilliant for those pictures that would normally be missed while other cameras are still starting up or having settings adjusted.
Memory
The 8mb secure digital card will hold around 15 photographs at standard size 1600 x 1200 , 18 pictures at 1280 x 960, and 48 pics at 640 x 480.
Alternatively, 8mb ... ...240 or 74 seconds at 160 x 120, or combinations of any of the above. Videos can record for as long as you have space available on your sd card - not time restricted. It would be worthwhile investing in 128 or 256mb cards if you are interested in recording clips or want to take numerous photographs.
Functions
Voice tags can be added to your pictures before or after the event. I had fun adding sound effects to some of ... more
This camera is reputedly the smallest 2mp 3x optical zoom camera on the market and it has certainly impressed everybody I have shown it to. It also has a facility to switch on digital zoom making it a 12x zoom. The clever thing is that the moving parts are inside the camera, so there are no lenses popping in or out of the front which saves on batteries. I used the 2 x AA batteries that came with it over about 10 hours when I first had the camera, so I use a set of rechargable ones now - much more convenient (2 in the camera and 2 spare). Although if you find yourself with flat batteries, AA's are easy to find wherever you are.
The minolta can be switched on and is ready to photograph almost instantaneously - brilliant for those pictures that would normally be missed while other cameras are still starting up or having settings adjusted.
Memory
The 8mb secure digital card will hold around 15 photographs at standard size 1600 x 1200 , 18 pictures at 1280 x 960, and 48 pics at 640 x 480.
Alternatively, 8mb will hold 19 seconds of video clips at 320 x 240 or 74 seconds at 160 x 120, or combinations of any of the above. Videos can record for as long as you have space available on your sd card - not time restricted. It would be worthwhile investing in 128 or 256mb cards if you are interested in recording clips or want to take numerous photographs.
Functions
Voice tags can be added to your pictures before or after the event. I had fun adding sound effects to some of my pictures before emailing them!
There is a comprehensive menu of functions. The below are all accessed through the menu button on the back of the camera and by using the sideways or up and down scroll buttons (which double up as telephoto and wideangle when in photographic mode):
Five types of flash including red eye, Normal colour photographs or sepia, b&w, mono red, green or blue tones, Portrait function White balance, Exposure compensation, Fine/standard/economy quality settings Drive settings - self-timer, single image, continuous, self portrait (using the shiny button on the camera front as a mirror) and multiframe to have 9 different images in one frame.
Other options include Film speed, Picture rotate, Slideshow playback and playback options ( this can also be used on tv screen - cables included), Favourites folder, Lock to prevent deletion of selected pictures and Email option which saves a smaller version for easier transmission.
Another quirky gimmick is the paste function which allows you to open a photograph and insert a new image into a selected cutout shape within it, I used this to show my husband 'dreaming' of his motorbike. Fun, but I'm not sure this function will be very useful to me after the novelty wears off.
The menu is easy to navigate, I had the camera and used it for about a fortnight before I got round to reading the instructions book, which is set out in a very straightforward manner. There is a more detailed instruction cd also included in the box.
There isn't an optical viewfinder on this camera, but the lcd screen on the back is a good size and so far I have not had any trouble lining up my pictures - it might be different in strong sunshine though.
Image quality
I printed one picture on a full sheet of A4 (used XP photoprinting wizard for speed). I know that 2mp is not enough pixels for a print of this size, but even so, the quality was really good, it had gone slightly 'soft and fuzzy' but had not pixellated - I can only assume that if I had selected a 7"x5" print or smaller, it would have passed as a 'normal' photograph.
On screen all of my pictures have been clear and sharp. I have not produced any pictures with camera shake (I tried just to see if it was likely to happen when full zoom was applied), however I did take some pictures at a school performance when the lights were off and curtains shut (stage spotlights only). The flash flashed on exposure, but the pictures were dark because I was about 20-25 feet away from the subjects.....but then I don't know of any camera that would have coped under those circumstances.
Connectivity
When the usb is plugged in, the camera shows as another drive on my pc - presumably this will happen on yours too. When I first connected the camera to the pc, I plugged it in via an external usb hub and it was not recognised, so I unplugged it and usb'd it straight into the usb on the pc and it was recognised immediately.
I bought this camera from Asda for £99 as a 'take it anywhere' substitute for those times when my Olympus C2500L digital SLR is a nuisance to carry. That was the first week in March 2004. So far the camera has been everywhere with me, I have taken hundreds of photos, and the Olympus has been left in its camera bag in the cupboard. A camera case or pouch would have been a welcome addition to this outfit, but a small makeup bag will protect it just as well.
I have not used this camera as a webcam yet, but if it is as efficient at that as it has been so far, I will be dead chuffed.
This camera is stylish looking, has pretty flashing lights on the front and does everything it says on the box. It is excellent value for money, and in my opinion, would make the majority of non pro photographers very happy.
Advantages: 3x optical zoom, small & light, movie mode, looks cool, self portrait mode Disadvantages: Small memory card (8mb, almost useless!), battery life
I bought this little beauty after shopping around for far too long, and finally persuading the wife.
Although I also own a digital camcorder that takes still images, they are only 640x480, so a better digital camera was required for the imminent arrival of a new family member.
Within literally minutes the camera was on and I was taking pictures. No need to read the manual, as the menu is better than most cameras I have used (from manufacturers ... ...very easy, mainly thanks to the lack of buttons on the camera. Less is definately more on the X20!
Startup time is excellent, although the cute jingle that plays when you turn the camera on and off will probably get annoying after about 2 minutes. The lens cover slides down from its protective position and pictures can be taking in about 2 seconds.
There is no optical viewfinder, but that doesn't feel like a problem. Most digital camera owners ...
simonsygem 04.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Minolta DiMAGE X20
Advantages: 3 x optical zoom. Good images. Robust plastic build. Audio and movie options. Runs on useful rechargeable AA batteries. Disadvantages: No optical viewfinder (no great loss !). Needs a protector on lcd screen. Comes with only 8mb SD card.
...a look at both the Minolta Dimage X20 and the more expensive and fully featured Dimage Xt. (I had the Xt on trial for 2 days and have the X20 for a week. I have had a Fuji MX 1700 and currently have the brilliant Olympus C40 zoom.)
Build and Settings The X20 has a robust plastic build and comes with a useful 1.6 lcd screen, audio and movie options, non-protruding 3 x optical zoom, flash and a self portrait mirror on the front. There is no optical ... ...!) and the lcd appears quite effective in most lighting conditions. The unit runs on AA batteries - therefore invest in rechargeables which are useful to have around the house anyway ! There are manual settings for white balance,exposure and flash and a menu system which is fairly easy to navigate. There are not many buttons on the X20 but the right and left menu navigation buttons can be programmed to change flash or exposure or white balance etc ...
Bigdavel 28.02.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Minolta DiMAGE X20
Advantages: Very compact, stylish design, easy to use Disadvantages: Drains batteries, no case, ideally needs extra memory
3 x Optical Zoom
4x Digital zoom
I was bought this camera as a present and I was amazed at its quality for a 2 million-pixel camera - the photos are of a great quality.
This camera has 3 settings of picture quality, fine, standard and economy. There is little difference between fine and standard but I wouldn’t recommend economy unless you really want to take loads or haven’t expanded on the memory card it comes with (8mb)
The zoom is 3 times ... ...impressive as it is an internal optical zoom, bending the light within the camera rather than having to wait for a lens to pop out. The zoom is easily operated through the central navigation button. Digital zoom is just magnifying the picture you have rather than improving the quality up close.
Taking the photos can take a little getting used to. By holding the shutter button half way down the camera will beep if the image is in focus, if it isn’t ...
Londant 24.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Minolta DiMAGE X20
Advantages: small, light, easy to use, excellent quality Disadvantages: no disadvantages found apart from no case
I cannot reccommend this camera highly enough. This was my first digital camera and at the moment have no intention of ever changing it as there is nothing it doesn't do. It produces excellent quality pictures. The movie feature produces good quality shots and even when transferred to DVD using windows movie maker and other softwarre my DVD movie compilations are excellent. It is small, compact and easy to carry with you at all times, perfect handbag ... ...come with a carry case which I bought separately and it does need a higher memory card 32-64mB as it did only come with 8mB so this should be taken into account especially if you wish to take movie shots. I would reccommend a much higher memory. The zoom function is perfect for closer shots and the quality hasn't let me down.
I don't think this is still available new but if you have the offer of a second hand camera it is most definitely worth the ...
kscot 16.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Minolta DiMAGE X20
Advantages: Light, very handy - always carry in my handbag for any occasion! Disadvantages: Digital zoom on video not as clear as you might think on playback
...source one eventually from the Minolta website before I could do my downloads. And the koala does not look as good on my PC screen than on the tiny image on the back of the camera. The best thing is that it is small and light enough to keep in your pocket / handbag and whip it out when necessary! Enjoy :-) ...
Jerushjo 15.07.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Minolta DiMAGE X20
Discover the new DiMAGE X20, and experience digital photography the way you were meant to. It's the world's smallest and lightest digital camera with 3x optical zoom. It's loaded with cool features for your shooting and viewing pleasure. It's ultra slim for tote-anywhere portability. And it's geared fast and fun, to match your lifestyle. So, grab hold of the sporty and attractive DiMAGE X20. It's designed to fit your pocket. Designed to fit your life.
